Here’s the watch order for every ‘Chicago’ TV series

Since its inception in 2012, the Chicago franchise has expanded dramatically. As it inches closer to its 700-episode milestone, it’s not an overstatement to say there’s a lot of seasons and episodes to catch up on. 

The Chicago franchise focuses on the professional and personal lives of Chicago’s first responders and legal professionals. There are four shows that are interconnected, often featuring crossover episodes that tie their storylines together. Whether you’ve seen one of the Chicago series or all of them, here’s your ultimate watch order guide for the entire Chicago TV series universe.

Chicago Fire

This series is where it all began. Chicago Fire focuses on the brave firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51. The show gives a glimpse into their daily lives, the dangerous situations they face, and the camaraderie that keeps them going. With this as your starting point, you’ll get to know the core of the franchise. It’s the perfect introduction to the world of Chicago’s emergency services.

Chicago P.D.

Chicago P.D. is the first spinoff series from Chicago Fire. The spinoff centers on the Chicago Police Department’s Intelligence Unit, led by Sergeant Hank Vought. The team tackles some of the city’s most dangerous criminals, all while dealing with the moral and personal dilemmas that come with the job. Chicago P.D. brings a grittier look at crime and investigation, and you’ll start to see some familiar faces from Chicago Fire popping up during some crossover episodes.

Chicago Med

Once you’ve settled into the rhythms of the firehouse and the police department, It’s time to start off on the next series in the franchise, Chicago Med. This series explores the lives of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. The series highlights the challenges and triumphs in a busy emergency room, with crossovers from characters in Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Chicago Med will give you a well-rounded view of the city’s emergency response system.

Chicago Justice

Last but not least, we have Chicago Justice. This is the legal drama of the franchise, focusing on the State’s Attorney’s team as they tackle high-profile cases. Sadly, unlike the other shows in the franchise, Chicago Justice’s time in the spotlight was short-lived. Although it only lasted one season, it still brought that signature Chicago energy to the courtroom and is well worth watching, especially if you’ve been following the other shows.

Crossover Chicago episodes

The beauty of the Chicago franchise is the frequent crossover episodes where characters from different shows come together for epic storylines. 

•  Law & Order SVU– season 15 episode 15: “Comic Perversion”
•  Chicago Fire– season 1 episode 23: “Let Her Go”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 1 episode 6: “Convention”
•  Chicago Fire– season 2 episode 20: “A Dark Day”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 1 episode 12: “8:30 PM”
•  Chicago Fire– season 3 episode 7: “Nobody Touches Anything”
•  Law & Order SVU– season 16 episode 7: “Chicago Crossover”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 2 episode 7: “They’ll Have to Go Through Me”
•  Chicago Fire– season 3 episode 13: “Three Bells”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 2 episode 13: “A Little Devil Complex”
•  Chicago Fire– season 3 episode 19: “I Am the Apocalypse”
•  Chicago Fire– season 3 episode 21: “We Called Her Jellybean”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 2 episode 20: “The Number of Rats”
•  Law & Order SVU– season 16 episode 20: “Daydream Believer”
•  Chicago Fire– season 4 episode 10: “The Beating Heart”
•  Chicago Med– season 1 episode 5: “Malignant”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 3 episode 10: “Now I’m God”
•  Law & Order SVU– season 17 episode 14: “Nationwide Manhunt”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 3 episode 14: “The Song of Gregory William Yates”
•  Chicago Fire– season 5 episode 9: “Some Make It, Some Don’t”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 4 episode 9: “Don’t Bury This Case”
•  Chicago Fire– season 5 episode 15: “Deathtrap”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 5 episode 16: “Profiles”
•  Chicago Justice– season 1 episode 1: “Fake”
•  Chicago Fire– season 6 episode 13: “Hiding Not Seeking”
•  Chicago Fire– season 7 episode 2: “Going to War”
•  Chicago Med– season 4 episode 2: “When to Let Go”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 6 episode 2: “Endings”
•  Chicago Fire– season 7 episode 15: “What I Saw”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 6 episode 15: “Good Men”
•  Chicago Fire– season 8 episode 4: “Infection 1”
•  Chicago Med– season 5 episode 4: “Infection 2”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 7 episode 4: “Infection 3”
•  Chicago Fire– season 8 episode 15: “Off the Grid”
•  Chicago P.D.– season 7 episode 15: “Burden of Truth”

Keep an eye out for these crossovers as they’re a great way to see the whole Chicago universe in action, and stay on track of how the stories intertwine.